2027 Payments Settlements Graduate Program - Risk Management Stream

Reserve Bank of Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Reserve Bank of Australia is launching the 2027 Payments Settlements Graduate Program in Risk Management. This two-year program provides hands-on exposure to operational risk, governance and compliance within Australia’s payments ecosystem.

Graduates will work with experienced risk professionals to identify, assess and manage risks across critical payment systems while developing transferable risk-management skills for the financial services industry.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have recently completed or be completing a degree with high academic achievement.
• Interest in risk management, governance and financial resilience.
• Desire to build a career in operational risk within financial services or critical infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Support initiatives that strengthen risk awareness and embed a positive risk culture.
• Identify, assess and manage operational risks across critical payment systems.
• Contribute to design, implementation and monitoring of risk controls.
• Support incident management activities including investigations and remediation planning.
• Assist in implementing and enhancing risk and compliance frameworks.
• Complete structured graduate learning and develop specialist risk management expertise.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Applied Finance

Actuarial Studies

Commerce

Business

Job description

2027 Payments Settlements Graduate Program - Risk Management Stream

• Support the future of payments in one of Australia’s most critical financial environments.

The 2027 Payments Settlements Graduate Program at the Reserve Bank of Australia offers a unique opportunity to develop specialist expertise in operational risk, compliance and governance while working at the centre of Australia's payments ecosystem.

You'll join the team responsible for operating and safeguarding Australia's critical payment infrastructure, the systems that process more than $300 billion in transactions every day. Australians rely on these systems every day, and managing the risks that could impact them is essential to maintaining confidence in the financial system.

Over two years, you'll combine the structured learning, development and networking opportunities of the RBA Graduate Program with specialised experience in Risk & Compliance within Payments Settlements. You'll gain practical exposure to how risks are identified, assessed, monitored and managed across critical financial infrastructure while building the foundations for a long-term career in risk management.

As technology, regulation and customer expectations continue to evolve, the payments landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Join us and play a role in ensuring Australia's payment systems remain secure, resilient and ready
for the future.

About the Role

As part of our Risk & Compliance team, you'll work alongside experienced risk professionals and gain hands‑on experience in operational risk management, governance and compliance.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Support initiatives that strengthen risk awareness and embed a positive risk culture across the department.
• Assist with identifying, assessing and managing operational risks across critical payment systems.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of risk controls.
• Support incident management activities, including investigations, root cause analysis and remediation planning.
• Assist in the implementation and ongoing enhancement of the RBA's risk and compliance frameworks.
• Complete the RBA's structured graduate learning and development program while building specialist expertise in risk management within Payments Settlements.

We're interested in graduates who:

• Are curious about risk management, governance, compliance and financial resilience.
• Want to build a career in operational risk within financial services or critical infrastructure.
• Enjoy solving complex problems, analysing information and working collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Confident and clear communication
• Have recently completed, or are completing, a degree in Applied Finance, Actuarial Studies, Commerce, Business or related discipline with high academic achievement.

What's in it for You?

• A structured graduate experience combining formal training, professional development and mentoring.
• A unique opportunity to launch your career at Australia's central bank.
• Hands‑on experience managing risk within critical financial infrastructure.
• Exposure to governance, compliance, risk frameworks and operational resilience practices.
• Access to experienced risk professionals who will support your learning and career development.
• The opportunity to develop highly transferable risk management skills that are valued across the financial services industry.
• Meaningful work that contributes directly to the stability, security and resilience of Australia's financial system.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse background, those living with a disability and from the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates.